News List

Nov. 1, 2013
Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.

Modified Stage 3 Winter Water Restrictions Effective Today
The City of Richardson implemented modified Stage 3 winter water restrictions beginning today. The modification follows guidance by the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), which is facing critical shortages in its water supply due to below-average rainfall, declining water levels of NTMWD reservoirs and the ongoing prohibition of pumping water from Lake Texoma due to a zebra mussel infestation.

As part of the Stage 3 winter water restrictions, watering is limited to the first and third Saturday for service addresses ending in an even number and the first and third Sunday for service addresses ending in an odd number.

The schedule below is based on guidelines approved by the NTMWD:

Last digit of address

Allowed landscape water day

0,2,4,6,8 (Even)

1st and 3rd Saturday (any time of day; as needed)

1,3,5,7,9 (Odd)

1st and 3rd Sunday (any time of day; as needed)

The NTMWD is Richardson’s water supplier, and will monitor water supplies through the winter to determine the level of needed restrictions to take place after March 31, 2014.

Landscape experts point out that lawns become dormant during winter months and require less water. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems can continue to be used for foundations, trees and other ornamental landscaping. Outdoor watering will not be allowed during times of precipitation, and excessive water runoff from any landscaped area onto any impervious surface is prohibited.

NETWORK Shoe Drive “Kicks” Off

The NETWORK of Community Ministries, in partnership with the City of Richardson, launched the “Gathering Soles for NETWORK” shoe drive Friday afternoon. At a campaign launch ceremony, the Richardson City Council joined representatives from NETWORK, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, UT Dallas and Richland College to donate the first pairs of family shoes.

Members of the Richardson community are asked to donate new or gently used shoes to NETWORK through Nov. 21. NETWORK is working with local houses of worship to create drop off locations, and most City facilities will serve as collection points, as will the NETWORK main office and UT Dallas and Richland College.
(Click here to see the full poster.)

The "Gathering Soles for NETWORK” shoe drive is being held in conjunction with “Ask Not…the Dallas County Day of Service,” which is bringing communities throughout Dallas County together to honor the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy during the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his death.

Early Voting Ends, Election Day Is Tuesday
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots for the Texas Constitutional Amendment and Plano ISD tax rate elections. On Election Day, Dallas County residents must vote at their assigned precinct. Dallas County voters can look up their precinct at bit.ly/1f28vkx. Collin County voters may vote at any Election Day Vote Center, which are listed at bit.ly/1bzz7a5.

The Nov. 5 election will be the first in Texas to require voters statewide to show a photo ID at the polls. Nearly 50 Department of Public Safety driver license offices will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to offer free Election Identification Certificates (EIC), an approved form of identification for those without a photo ID.

RFID System Now Being Used at Library
On Thursday, the Library opened new stations that use radio frequency identification (RFID) to more quickly and efficiently allow patrons to check out books, DVDs, CDs and other materials. There are two self-service kiosks, plus four stations at the front desk that can be either staffed by librarians or used for self-service.

The stations are the final piece of a new RFID system that will make both checkout and return of Library materials more efficient. Earlier this month, a new materials handling system that also uses RFID was put into use. The project was funded by the 2010 Bond Program.

New Ordinance Bans Overnight Parking at Parks
The City Council on Monday approved an ordinance that bans overnight parking in City parks. Parking is prohibited between 10:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following day.

Council Awards Bid for Safe Routes to School Project
The City Council on Monday awarded a bid of $896,210 to Axis Contracting, Inc. for new sidewalks and barrier-free ramps, sidewalk repairs, bike lane striping, and bike lane and route signage surrounding Yale and Richland elementary schools. The project is funded through the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe Routes to School Program. Construction is expected to begin in December and to be complete by April 2014.

November Richardson Today Mailed
The November edition of Richardson Today has been delivered to the Post Office for delivery to homes. The latest edition focuses on public safety and includes stories on the new Fire Training Center, Emergency Operations Center and Emergency Driving Simulator. It also includes the Winter 2014 Recreation Guide, a complete listing of classes and programs offered by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Richardson Today is mailed to every residence in the city and is also available at the Heights and Huffhines recreation centers, the Senior Center, City Hall and at the Richardson Public Library. A Richardson Today interactive edition is accessible through the City’s homepage located at cor.net. Ask your local mail carrier if you live in the city and do not receive your copy of Richardson Today.

Set Clocks Back One Hour and Change Smoke Detector Batteries
Daylight saving time ends this weekend, so remember to set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed Saturday night. It is also a good time to change the batteries in home smoke alarms.

Verizon Hosts Electronics Recycling Event Thursday, Nov. 7
Verizon is hosting a Recycling Rally at its offices at 2400 N. Glenville Dr. in Richardson on Thursday, Nov. 7. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The public may bring unwanted electronics and other material for recycling, and some randomly selected recyclers will receive free giveaways such as water bottles and tote bags. In addition, Recycling Richie, the City of Richardson’s recycling mascot, will make an appearance, and the City will distribute information about recycling in Richardson.

Most electronics will be accepted, but please note that hard drives will not be wiped of their data, and batteries should be removed from electronics prior to turning in any items. For more information, visit http://vz.to/17ZUXkC.

Items that will not be accepted include hazardous waste (such as batteries, inks/toners and mercury light bulbs); units containing fluid (such as motors and pumps containing fluid); refrigerators and freezers; medical waste; and radioactive material such as X-ray equipment.

I-635 Construction Could Cause Delays on US 75 This Weekend
Motorists on southbound US 75 (Central Expressway) main lanes and frontage roads through Richardson could face delays this weekend as construction closes portions of I-635 (LBJ Freeway).

Final paving will require all westbound lanes of I-635 from Coit Road to Preston Road to be closed, beginning at 9 p.m. tonight (Friday, Nov. 1). The lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4.

Traffic on I-635 will be routed to frontage roads, and drivers on ramps from both northbound and southbound US 75 (Central Expressway) will be detoured to eastbound I-635. They will then be directed to make a U-turn at Greenville Avenue to the westbound frontage road.

Traffic will also be reduced to one lane on eastbound I-635 between Coit Road and Greenville Avenue for striping.

The construction is part of the LBJ Express project, and closures are subject to weather and scheduling conditions. For more information about the project and the closure, visit bit.ly/1agrTFf.

Santa’s Village Construction Begins
City staff members have begun setting up the dwellings that make up Santa’s Village at the City Hall/Civic Center Complex. Santa's Village is an annual destination for children and families that features 16 dwellings, each with a different activity inside, and live entertainment scheduled throughout the duration of the event.

Spirit Run Set for Nov. 9
The fourth annual Spirit Run 5K will take place at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Galatyn Plaza. The certified race is partially sponsored by the City and benefits the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation, which supports students in RISD through scholarships and programs.

Bands, drum lines and other groups from the four RISD high schools will encourage runners along the 3.1-mile route. At the end of the race, runners will vote for the most spirited high school, and the winner will receive the Spirit Trophy.

The event will also include a 1-mile Walk/Fun Run at 8 a.m. and awards for overall and age group winners at 9:30 a.m.

Race day registration costs $35. Runners younger than 18 years old may register for $10. For more information, visit risdspiritrun.com.

Richardson Community Band to Perform Sousa Finale on Sunday
The Richardson Community Band will perform its Sousa Finale at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Eisemann Center. The band members will perform four Sousa marches, which will complete their goal of performing 134 of 136 Sousa marches (two have been lost).

Arrive early to hear the band’s sax quartet, Sax on the Side, perform at 1:35 p.m. in the lobby. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $5 for children and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased by calling 972-744-4650 or online at eisemanncenter.com.

Stephen Lang to Perform “Beyond Glory” at Eisemann Center
Stephen Lang, award-winning playwright, stage and screen star, will bring the stories of eight different men to the stage in a one-man show called “Beyond Glory,” which is adapted from Larry Smith’s book. The show presents the stories of veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, rendering firsthand accounts of valor which resulted in the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor.

Tickets range from $32 to $48 and are available for purchase online at eisemanncenter.com or by calling the Eisemann Center Ticket Office at 972-744-4650. Group discounts are available for 10 or more persons.

Senior Holiday Bazaar Set for Nov. 8-9
The Senior Center Holiday Bazaar will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8-9, at the Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.
The annual event features handmade arts and crafts of all varieties, including jewelry, quilts, ceramics, paintings, doll clothes, needlework, and many other craft items created by local seniors ages 55 plus.

The Senior Center will offer hot dogs, chili, taco salad, nachos and other food items for all to try at the bazaar. For more information, call 972-744-7800. Admission is free.

Lunchtime Lectures Continue at Library
Learn all about Benjamin Franklin in a series of Lunchtime Lectures continuing Tuesday at the Richardson Public Library in the Basement Program Room. The free program presented by Richard Cudlipp will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. each Tuesday through Nov. 19.

Registration is not required, and participants are welcome to bring a lunch. For more information, contact Janet Vance at 972-744-4376 or Richard Cudlipp at rcudlipp@sbcglobal.net.

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